22,000 Nurses Refuse Mandatory Vaccinations

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 9, 2016

bellabellabijou, there is quite a bit of misinformation in your post.

RESULTS: The total documented variable cost per injection (excluding vaccine cost) averaged $11.51, calculated from the following categories: nursing time, $1.71; billing services, $2.67; nonroutine services, $1.64; registry use, $0.96; physician time, $4.05; supplies, $0.36; medical waste disposal, $0.12. Nonroutine activities primarily included performing vaccine inventory and ordering, providing vaccination records to requesters, and answering parent telephone questions about vaccinations. With the use of a simulation model to compensate for the small number of participating practices, the calculated total variable cost per injection was $11.83. When 2 vaccines were administered, we compared the sum of the 2 payments with the sum of the 2 variable costs ($23.02). More than one third of the payment agreements (13 of 37 agreements) paid the practices less than the combined variable costs for 2 immunizations.
CONCLUSION: This study shows that the variable costs of vaccine administration exceeded reimbursement from some insurers and health plans.

So, primary care providers aren't making profits by administering vaccines.

And as for "no recourse" for injury or death, there is the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

And while it's not from a peer reviewed journal, this debunks the vaccine profit myth.

Flu vaccine sales are small portion of worldwide pharmaceutical company revenues, less than 0.3%.
The Big Three flu vaccine manufacturers make less than 4.5% of their total corporate revenues with the vaccine.
Other pharmaceutical products have up to 10% greater gross profits than vaccines. The better strategic choice for Big Pharma companies is in other drugs.
If Big Pharma stopped making vaccines, they would probably make more money at a higher profit percentage.

nursej22, MSN, RN · Feb 9, 2016

Sure - here is a link: Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness, 2005-2015 | Health Professionals | Seasonal Influenza (Flu)
Actually, 18% was the projected effective rate (for last year). Since I had to look the link up for you, I found that the adjusted rate was really 23%, a little higher, but not much.

Thank you. I was bewildered because your original 18% effectiveness rate was for this year, and I could only find rates for last year. That would make sense, because you would look at figures at the end of the season, while we are still the the midst. I still think a reduction in risk to 1 in 4 or 1 in 5 is pretty good odds for a small injection of dead virus, IMO.

Guest849204 · Feb 9, 2016

As a professional, I would have to turn to the science. If the science shows more negative outcomes associated with unvaccinated healthcare workers, then those workers are obligated to get vaccinated. It's as simple as that. Just like you are free to drink alcohol but not while working (because it can cause patient harm) then you should not be allowed to work unvaccinated if it puts patients at risk.

Im surprised 22,000 medical professionals would give in to the anti-vaccine thing, especially nurses who are supposed to take public health into consideration. I can only imagine how many people on the fence about vaccinations will react when they see thousands of nurses refusing vaccines, the consequences are far from personal.

JustMeRN · Feb 9, 2016

I have watched the anti vaccine movement over the last several years. And make no mistake, this group "nurses against mandatory vaccines" IS absolutely an anti vaccine group. They are sketchy at best, and made up largely of non professional health care workers (not RN's orLPN's). They charge a fee if you want access to their group and "information". They post blatant anti vaccine rhetoric on their Facebook page, and many of their members support groups that encourage doxing and in some cases physical violence (I kid you not. Senetor Pan in California received death threats from these groups when he introduced legislation eliminating personal and religious belief exemptions for public school students).

I believe very strongly in vaccination, and believe in mandatory vaccines for healthcare workers and kids in public schools. However, arguing with an antivaxer in most cases is a pointless battle (and research actually proves that!). Support legislation supporting vaccines, and offer information to anyone actually asking for it. But don't bother arguing with an antivaxer.

mystcnurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 9, 2016

I am simply amazed at the mass following - like pied piper. The flu vaccine is an experiment, and you are the guinea pigs. And some of you, with your holier than thou attitudes - while having done none of your own research..... you are simply repeating a mantra. It is FINE, until YOU or YOUR FAMILY member becomes a victim of vaccine induced GBS. And finally, some experts have actually done, and published the research... or lack thereof. Medscape: Medscape Access

JustMeRN · Feb 9, 2016

I am simply amazed at the mass following - like pied piper. The flu vaccine is an experiment, and you are the guinea pigs. And some of you, with your holier than thou attitudes - while having done none of your own research..... you are simply repeating a mantra. It is FINE, until YOU or YOUR FAMILY member becomes a victim of vaccine induced GBS. And finally, some experts have actually done, and published the research... or lack thereof. Medscape: Medscape Access

before you start preaching about how educated you are, try doing some research on GBS. You are much more likely to get GBS following a viral illness (such as the flu), not from vaccines.

ComeTogether, LPN · Feb 10, 2016

Nurses should be capable of understanding what evidence based research is and "take one for the team". I get vaccinated to protect my patients.

If there is a legitimate reason to refuse - fine, I get it. I'm just not ok with any nurse who jumps on the anti-vax band wagon and I'm REALLY not a fan of a nurse who puts their patients at risk to prove a point.

allnurses Guide · Feb 10, 2016

Every year I get a flu shot and every year I still get sick. I don't know if previous year's infections were flu but this year I signed up for a study and had my nares and throat swabbed for analysis and guess what I had a strain of flu out of Australia. I don't know about other states but in California the law mandates all healthcare workers who have direct access to patients get a flu shot or wear a mask through the duration of the flu season. Employer's here are simply following the State and County mandates. So no you can't be fired for not getting the shot at least in California but as California is an "AT Will" state you employer can terminate your employment for any reason or for no reason at all unless you can prove that you were terminated due to your being part of a protected class. Our current Governor "Moonbeam" is what we used to call him also signed a bill into law that that terminates the right to opt out from childhood vaccines if your child will be attending public school. If you don't vaccinate you either home school or find a private school that will take your kids. We just had a measles epidemic that originated at Disneyland so I think that shook things up a bit.

I get the shot because I am claustrophobic and can't wear a mask all day. For the record I have never had an adverse reaction to any vaccine nor has anyone I know.

Hppy

Bailey_lou · Feb 10, 2016

10 Flu Myths - Harvard Health
I believe Harvard is credible enough, right?

This actually states that it is a myth that people can get the flu from a vaccination as it is an inactivated strain. And yes, I would say it is credible.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2016

My point was towards you saying that you getting the flu vaccine does not prevent you transmitting the flu to a pt, when in all actuality, it does, as per research- this is part of the premise of healthcare workers getting vaccinated, to prevent transmission to the pt population.

An aside, but it's also recommended for the household members of vulnerable people including infants

rac1, ASN, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2016

This actually states that it is a myth that people can get the flu from a vaccination as it is an inactivated strain. And yes, I would say it is credible.

I didn't see anyone say they got the flu from the vaccine (could have missed it of course).

CHESSIE · Feb 10, 2016

I have watched the anti vaccine movement over the last several years. And make no mistake, this group "nurses against mandatory vaccines" IS absolutely an anti vaccine group. They are sketchy at best, and made up largely of non professional health care workers (not RN's orLPN's). They charge a fee if you want access to their group and "information". They post blatant anti vaccine rhetoric on their Facebook page, and many of their members support groups that encourage doxing and in some cases physical violence (I kid you not. Senetor Pan in California received death threats from these groups when he introduced legislation eliminating personal and religious belief exemptions for public school students).
I believe very strongly in vaccination, and believe in mandatory vaccines for healthcare workers and kids in public schools. However, arguing with an antivaxer in most cases is a pointless battle (and research actually proves that!). Support legislation supporting vaccines, and offer information to anyone actually asking for it. But don't bother arguing with an antivaxer.

You bring to mind a quote by Barney Frank, a former representative from the state of Massachusetts.. He said, "Arguing with some people is like arguing with the dining room table." Former Rep. Frank's comment was referring to the ardent far right wing in this nation, but it could apply to arguing with an "antivaxer."

22,000 Nurses Refuse *Mandatory* Vaccinations

22,000 Nurses Refuse Mandatory Vaccinations